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Image Comics showcases a variety of unique and boundary-pushing stories that cater to all kinds of readers. Select Image Comics series like Chew, Criminal, and Stray Bullets stand out for their distinctive storytelling and world-building. The ambitious, diverse, and thought-provoking nature of series like East of West, The Department of Truth, and Do a Powerbomb set Image Comics apart in the comic book world.

In its three decades of existence, Image Comics has pushed the boundaries of what is possible in the art of comic books. With a wide variety of types of stories, Image publishes tales for all sorts of readers and they continue to exist on the cutting edge of the medium.

From classic antiheroes like Spawn to horror staples like The Walking Dead, Image Comics has produced some of the greatest comic series of the last thirty years. Even within the Image imprint, some series have elevated...

So, you might think comic books and graphic novels are all about superheroes and have such a vast background and back-catalogue that it’s almost impossible to jump in and read them. I thought this at one point, many moons ago, unsure of how I’d be able to delve into the world of comics without being completely confused and overwhelmed with these long-existing worlds that had been established and built over decades. Believe me when I say… there’s much more to comics, and I wanted to highlight a number of graphic novels and comic books for those who might be considering getting into the scene but aren’t sure where to begin. Basically… some recommendations for new readers and those who want to check out some stuff without feeling lost, bewildered and agitated by it all.

Pumpkinheads

by Rainbow Rowell & Faith Erin Hicks

You can see a full review of Pumpkinheads here.

So, there’s a world where all of the superheroes get their powers from food. It’s not actually weirder than any other superhero universe, to my mind, but it’s definitely weird in a different direction. I like that, since superheroes tend to be all too much of the same thing all the time, but I know mine is a minority taste in the vast land of ComicShopia.

(Oh, and I’m sure a lot of people — maybe even the creators — would object vociferously to my characterizing bizarre and impossible food-related abilities as “superpowers.” Those people are wrong, and probably too uptight, as well.)

Anyway, there are “food weirdos,” as one character calls them. They have long, silly, Latinate terms to explain what it is they can do, which are often dangerous or violent and are also, of course, silly. John Layman and Rob Guillory told a long, funny comics story in that world,...